Atlanta: Tuesday Pit Notes

The Crown Royal International Race of Champions
Series continued testing and driver practice on Tuesday at Atlanta Motor
Speedway in preparation for the 2006 Race Four championship finale on
Saturday. Tuesday's activities consisted of final...

The Crown Royal International Race of Champions
Series continued testing and driver practice on Tuesday at Atlanta Motor
Speedway in preparation for the 2006 Race Four championship finale on
Saturday. Tuesday's activities consisted of final testing of the
racecars, driver practice and concluded with a blind draw for car
assignments conducted by IROC President, Jay Signore among all of the
drivers in attendance. Road Racing and Open Wheel ace, Max Papis joined
fellow competitors, IndyCar champion, Sam Hornish Jr., Grand American
Sports Car champion, Wayne Taylor and legendary dirt track Sprint Car
legend, Steve Kinser for pre-race driver practice. Papis is tied with
NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Ryan Newman for third in the points standings
making up two of the four drivers in contention for the 2006 Crown Royal
IROC $1million championship. The other two contenders are NASCAR Nextel
champions, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth, first and second, respectively.

Papis said, "It feels great to back in the saddle with IROC. The
opportunity IROC offers the drivers by being here all week and making the
cars available to get in as many laps as you need before the race really
helps out a lot. I can tell you I'm very excited about this race
knowing that I'm actually in contention for the championship.

I'm especially proud because I'm the only non-stock car driver
in that position. I would really like to get that missing piece of the
puzzle -- Celebrating an IROC victory in winner's circle. I know
it's going to be tough but I'll give it everything I can."

Kinser said, "Actually, I feel pretty good. I've been pretty
comfortable here in past IROC races, but my results haven't shown
it. For the race this year, I'm just going to get out there, have a
good time and give it my best shot. Like I said, I'm comfortable
enough in the cars to race hard, so hopefully we'll have a good race
and a good finish to the season on Saturday."

Kinser's racing
son, Kraig was in attendance watching his dad practice when he suddenly
went from spectator to participant. IROC President, Jay Signore surprised
the 22-year-old with an invite to suit up and give the IROC cars a try.

"It was a lot of fun and very special for me to get a chance to
drive an IROC car," said the younger Kinser. "The cars are very
different than anything I've ever driven before -- the steering and
just the way they draft. It was a lot of fun to get a chance to drive
with my dad out there too. You really can tell how even the cars are and
see why the racing is as close as it is."

About running with his son Kraig in
the IROC cars, Kinser said, "This is something that is really fun
for me as a father. Just to see Kraig get a chance to drive an IROC car,
even though he's not racing in the series, I know it will be a
memory he'll always treasure. I remember how I felt when I first
climbed into an IROC car knowing what the series means to a driver. It
makes me proud having the opportunity to get out there with my son and do
a few laps with him in the IROC cars, it's something that means a
lot to me, it's very special for both of us."